Fred G. Voelker, 100, died February 22, 2012 at his home in Fort Dodge. He was born on October 26, 1911 at Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Bernard A. Voelker and Eden Marie Breeler. He was adopted by Fred R. Voelker at the age of three.

In his early years, his family moved quite a bit. His schooling was in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. He graduated from high school in Enid, Oklahoma. After graduation, he worked for the Rock Island Railroad doing bridge work. He then came to Kansas and took up body and fender work and law enforcement. Fred married Ann Eleanor Bright in 1940 in Montezuma. She preceded him in death on August 14, 1996. He then married Allie Watkins in 1997 in Scott City. She survives.

In 1941, he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific. Upon returning home from the service, he returned to body work and law enforcement. He retired in 1978 and traveled for a year at which time, he felt retirement wasn't satisfactory. In 1979, he began working again at George Neilson Motor Co. in Dodge City, retiring in 2005.

Fred learned to play the fiddle when he was young and played with the local and famous bands and groups. He won national acclaim in 1993 when he was inducted in the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame in Avoka, Iowa. Fred won fourth place nationally for playing his fiddle. He competed in many music contests and won recognition in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Iowa. Fred was a member of the Western Plains Chapter of and a state representative for the Kansas Old Time Fiddlers, Pickers, and Singers. He attended traditional country music jam sessions at Lakin, Scott City, Garden City, and Cimarron. Fred was recognized for his fiddle playing by Larry Hatteberg as one of "Hatteberg's People" on KAKE TV, Wichita and has been featured on the front page of the Dodge City Daily Globe. He continued playing his fiddle until his death.

Fred leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Allie, of the home; five sons, Robert and wife Shirley of Enid, Oklahoma, Johnnie of Mount Pleasant, Texas, Albert and wife Carol of Olathe, Dennis and wife Marcia of Larned, and Kevin and wife Deb of Collinsville, Oklahoma; one daughter, Donna Evans and husband Dennis of Willow Park, Texas; two stepsons, Charles M. Watkins and wife Joyce of Buhler and Lesley A. Watkins and wife Lynne of McAllen, Texas; one stepdaughter, Donna Bartunek and husband Bill of Salina; 13 grandchildren; 12 step grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; 21 step great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Ann; and infant son, Fredrick R. Voelker; one sister, Kathleen Strong; and one half brother, William Clark.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Dick Robbins presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Friday, February 24, 2012 from noon to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Kansas Soldiers Home - 2nd Floor Halsey Hall in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.